Atletico Madrid defeated Villarreal 2-1 in an exciting match on Monday night, with Saul Niguez coming out on top with the game's winning goal in the 87th minute. Taking advantage of Athletic Bilbao's recent setback, Diego Simeone's team surged to fourth place in La Liga, setting themselves up for Champions League qualifying.

Atletico got off to a strong start as Axel Witsel nodded them ahead after just nine minutes, connecting with Rodrigo Riquelme's corner to score a superb header. However, Villarreal swiftly responded, with Alexander Sorloth equalizing soon after the halftime break, setting the stage for a tense battle.

The game remained evenly poised until Saul, introduced as a substitute, made an instant impact, slotting home from the edge of the box to snatch victory for Atletico. Despite a nervous VAR check, the goal stood, sealing a vital three points for the home side.

Reflecting on the performance, Simeone praised Saul's contribution, emphasizing his belief in the midfielder's abilities. However, he stressed the need for improvement as Atletico aims to secure Champions League qualification for the upcoming season.

Witsel, the scorer of Atletico's opener, expressed satisfaction with the win, highlighting its importance for the team. While acknowledging Simeone's expectations for improvement, Witsel emphasized the significance of securing the victory.

The defeat leaves Villarreal languishing in 10th place, marking a disappointing season for the club. Despite their efforts, they were unable to overcome Atletico's resilience and determination to clinch victory.

As the La Liga season enters its final stages, Atletico Madrid's hard-fought win propels them closer to their Champions League aspirations, setting the stage for an exciting climax in the race for European qualification.